Vending machine



' 4Jun. 15, 1929. 1,699,353

G. F. GRANT VENDING "MACHINE Filed 'June 5, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 L ...mi

Jan. f'15, 1.929.

, 1,699,353v G. P. GRANT VENDING MACHINE Filed` June 5, 1925 3SheetsShet 2 Il l Jan; 1 5, 1929.

G. P. GRANT VENDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet Ew H ATTY Filed Jumal 5, 1925 Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

UNITE-D 4STATES GARNT P. GRANT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

` VENDING' MACHINE.

Application filed June 5,

rihis invention relates to coin-controlled vending machines. v

Y The object of the invention is to provide a machine to contain goods in packages of approximately the same size "but containing different classes of goods,`or, goods of the same classes bearing different brands, and to vend the same by the insertion yof a plurality of coins of the same o-r diffe-rent denominations.

More specifically the object of the invention is to provide a machine which will vend cigarettes, in original packages, and in which machine a charge of different kinds of cigarettes may be placed and a particular lkind may be obtained by the customer upon v.the insertion of a proper coin.

So far as relates to the price of. cigarettes in the United States at the .time of filing this application, the ordinary price is fifteen cents. The coinage -of the country does not `permit of the use of a single coin as there is no fifteen cent coin. Therefore, the necessity of using a plurality -of coins,-either .three nickels or one -di-me anda nickel.

A further object is to provide means for ejecting .the proper package .desired by the customer, which .means involve a selecting means for .the particular class of goods desired. f s

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel mechanism for .preventing the machine lfrom being operated with an improperfcoimor the use of imitation coins.

The invention consists yof ,the combination,

construction and` arrangement of parts, ,as herein illustrated, described and .claimedfy In the accompanying` .drawings forming part hereof, is .illustrated a form of embodiment of the invention, in which drawings, similar reference y characters designate corresponding parts, and in which Figure l .is aplan View., Epartly in section,

`showing thecoin operating mechanism;

Figure 2 is lafragmentary detail in front elevation showing va coin conducting mechanism, adapted rtoconduct t-he coin toan operative position in front ofthe parts shown yin 4Figure 1,; ,L

Figure '3 is a plan view, ,partly in section, vshowing-the same partsas in Figure l but in different positions;

1925. serial No. 35,236.

Figure 4 is a side elevation, lshowing the operating lever used for moving` the coincontrolling mechanism, and actuating an ejectingl mechanism Figure 5 is a fragmentary Adetail in plan view showing the selectingmechanism for the various classes of goods to be' vended;

Figure 6 is a side elevation showing the ejecting mechanism after a selection hasbeen made;

Figure 7 is a side kelevation of the same parts shown in Figure 6, to wit, a selective mechanism, in a different position;

Figure 8 isa diagrammatic view plan showing the coin conducting means and its propeller;

Figure 9 is a vert-ical section, in detail, showing the coin in position in the coin rack;

Figure 10 is a vertical section, in detail, showing the .coin lthe coin rack with the plunger holding the coin in place; and

Figurell is a vertical section, 4in detail, showing the ,position of the parts when'the coin has been released to enter `the coin box.

In all -of the foregoing views i-t Will be understood that t-he mechanism illustrated will be .placed in a` suitable casingland the parts suitably supported by members extendin@` from one side to the other of thecasing.

Referring to the drawings, and specifically the first sheet thereof, vl designates an entrance `coin chute'for a coin ,of higher denomination, say such `as a dime, and 2 designates -an entrance coin chute for a coin of lower denominationpsuch as a nickel. Con-v necting with the entrance coin chute l is a conducting chute 3, and connecting withthe entrance coin chute 2y is ka conducting coin #chute 4, which chutes 2l and 3 are formed into converging inclined faces f5 and 6 respectively. These faces are formed integral with or inserted into a suitably formed casing ,7.

The casing 7 is provided with an opening 8 atone side yand-an opening 9 at the `other side. A suitable shoulder 10 is disposed adjacent the opening 8, and a shoulder 1l is disposed adjacent rtheopening 9. The object ofthe openings 8 and '9 and shoulders 10 and 11 is to provide for the ejection of more than vthe required number of coins inserted on either side.

A pair oi opposite supports 12 are arranged to support a stationary iframe 13 and the coin chutes hereiubelore described.

A trame 14 `approximately rectangular in shape is movably disposed on the support 12 and the stationary frame 13.

A pair oit guide rods 15 have their front ends secured to the rear wall of the casing 7 and extend through the movable frame 14, being freely movable with relation thereto.

The guide rods 15 are secured together by means of a suitable yoke. 15LL having a downturned end 15b adapted to abut the front face of a portion of the stationary frame 13and prevent movement to the rear of the parts connected therewith to a greater extent than is necessary or desirable. Suitable openings 16 are formed in the rear wall of the casing 7 to permit passage of plungers hereinafter described and in the front wall of the casing 7 there is a smaller opening 17 and adjacent thereto a larger opening 18 permitting` the passage of said plungers entirely through the casing 7 under certain conditions.

A plurality of plungers 19, 20, 21 and 22 are disposed through the movable frame 14 so as to have an easily slidable movement with re.- lation thereto. The iront ends of these plungers are arranged to pass through the openings 16, described, under certain conditions.

A latch 23 is disposed transversely of the movable frame 14 and arranged to project therethrough, being shown in an inoperative position in Figure 1 and in an operative position in Figure 3 and normally being in an inoperative position.

A pawl 24 is disposed over the plungers 19 and 26 and has a projection on one endadapted to cooperate with a notch 25 in the latch 23. The pavvl 24 is pivoted as at 26 to a supporting bracket 27 secured on the movable frame 14. The paw] 24 is further pivoted as at 23 to the plunger 19 and is provided with a biifurcated opposite end 29 adapted to cooperate with a-lever 30 which is pivoted as at 31 to a support 32 on the movable frame 14.

A lever 33, having its ends in loose engagement with the plungers 21 and 22 is pivoted as at 34 to the lever`30. A bell-crank lever 36 is pivoted as at 37 on the support 27 and has its lower arm pivoted asv at 38 to the plunger' 20. Its upper end 1s pivoted as at 39 to a ringer 40, provided with a shoulder 41 and works through a lug 42 on the latch 23. A'suitable cushioning spring 43 is interposed and a suitable return spring 44 is connected to the parts to restore them to normal position.

Suitable coins being inserted inthe chutes 1 and 2.and the latch 23 being released it is thrown outside of the plane of the 'frame 14 so that it may be contacted by a lever 45 (see Figure 4).

The forward movement ot the movable reciprocation.

frame 14 is produced by means of a hand lever 47 pivoted as at 48 and having a bifurcated upper end 49, cooperating with a pin 50 on the movable frame 14.

A link 51 has its upper end secured to one endetl the lever 45 and its lower end pivoted to one end of a crank 52 secured on an operating shaft 53.

A pair of collars 54 are secured to the operating shat 53 and provided with openings 55 arranged to receive pin 56 on a collar 57 which is slidably disposed on the shaft between the pairs of collars.

A common form of bifurcated member 58 is disposed over the collar 57 and is pivoted adjacent its upper end as at 59 and secured to a rod 60. The rod 6() is connected to a double bell-crank lever 61, pivotally connected with the plungcrs 62 and 63, which project horizontally from the casing. Similar plungers 64 and 65 are connected respectively to a second bell-crank lever 66 and a rod 67 and the latter is connected to clutches similar to those described.

A cover plate 68 is disposed over the plungers 62 to 65 and provided withl slots 69 through which project pins 7 0, adapted to act as guides and the whole mechanism being `enclosed by a suitable trame' 71 disposed in a suitable covering casing 72.

A pin 73 is disposed on the plunger 65 so as to contact one end of a lever 74 which is pivoted as at 75 and arranged yto strike in its movement guidepins 76 on the plungers 62y and 63 respectively (dotted lines Fig. 5) A corresponding lever 77 is suitably pivoted and arranged to cooperate with the plungers 62 and 63.

The object oi the lever 74 and guidepins 76 is to return the unoperated plungers to normal position and retract them from the operation of the described clutch mechanism.

On each side of the collars 54 of the clutch mechanism described, are disposed loosely on the shaft 53 actuatingv members 78. In the construction described, designed for thepurpose of selling tour kinds of goods, there arel tour oi'l saidactuating members l7 8 respectivelythrown into action by the action of the plungers 62 to 65 as described.

The actuating members 78 each are prolio vided with openings 7 9 adapted to receive the projecting ends ot the pins 56 as they are actuated beyond the surface of the collars 54.

The free ends of the actuating members 78 are each provided with a slot 80 adapted to receive a pin 81 which is secured on a slidable gate or covering 82 adapted to normally cover the egress oi a magazine 83 adapted to contain vendible commodities 84.

A discharge plug or plunger is arranged to reciprocate beneath the magazine 83 and to remove one package 84 at each forward The plug 85 has al .projecting pin 86 arranged to be embraced by the billo ,enema furcated end 87 of'a crank'88 loosely'disposed on the shaft A lug 89 is disposed ont'he crank in the path off mov-en'xent of the shoulder 90 lformed on the actuating member 78. 'llhere-l'fore rotation. vof the actuation member selected will cause the'withdrawalfof itl-1e :gate 82 andthe reciprooa'tion of the :plunger 85 and one package will be removed-'and the Vparts will loe returned to` their normal position means of a return .spring 91. -A :lugl92 is disposed on the actuating' 4'member 78 so as l'to draw the crank 88 back tothe normal position shown in igure16.

' In order to limit the `backward and 101lward movement of the plungers 119,120, 21 and 22 with relation to "fthe movable frame #14,.

which `slidaloly supports the plungers, pins 22a are inserted in the plungersiadjacent the cross members -of the frame-14 and intermedialte thereof. The rear lpin 22a `prevents the plungers from vbeing forced too far to the rear when the frame 14 is brought forward 'as descr-ibedandthe pin 221adjacentthe front end of the plungers Contact with the rearwall ofthe front cross piece of the fra-me 14.*so that when the Ylatter is retracted vthe plungersare carriecll therewith. s

The operation ofthe apparatus :is as follows: y f

In operati/ve position-Without insertion fo-f coins `ortokens `and the kpants bein'g in lthe position shown in Figure 1, -fufll lines .of Figure 4 andy Figures Y5Y landr, lilf the operating -lever 47 is depressed :the movable iframe v1,4 is forced Lforward by the bifurcation l19=and the pin 50. Therebeing no'coinsin fthe path "of vmovement of .the plungers 1&9 to '21, they pass freely Vthrough the openings 16 and 1f? and 18 "(Fifgure As the plungers 1'9 to '21 meet ino 'obstruction the -leversf`30, @Bland 36e-nd -pa'wl '241are not disturbed and as -a consequence lthe latch A23 is retained outside ot' the plane of the lever 45, lso that ithelatter is not rocked by fmo'vement'ofthe llever 47 and as a consequencethe shaft 53 is not rocked 'and no `packagesofgoods 84ans ejected b'y-the meclmnism controlled the action xof 4the shaft rno in seZeatz`0n;-,'If a Vproper @dim-say a dime, Iis putinto the chute 1 it" drops tothe position shown in IFigure 2, in `frontgof the path of 'movement of the plunger '1:9 and zpressure on the lever 45T carriestfhe frame 14 (on which the plunger 19 is mounted) forward where the. forward rend of ithe'liilunger 19 lcontacts with 'the dime and 'isfheld against further movement. 4Howe-ever, -the :frame 14 is moved forward so that the ,pawl y24 is rocked *on its pivot 26 and disengaged from the notch12'5, releasing theloc'king action of the paavl '24 on the latch 23.' 1 Y However, unless fa second coi-n, say 4a Inickel, 'has been lplaced inthe chute 2`and drops in front of the plunger' 20, thela-tch l23 is not operated because the plunger passes freely through the opening 16and slot 1:8 andas a consequence :does not .rock the beLLcrank lever-36 .to the right/hand; as -a censequencc'the latcli123 is inet-'contacted 'by thelever 45, and the .shaft' is not rocked Iand ejection ,of the goods y84 does not rtakefplace. z 1 i 'l If second coin, vsa37 la nickel, is disposed in the chute'2 and drops toa .positionin front ofthe plunger 20 (as-shown in Figures :and 3), the lplunger 20 .is held against lforward nmvement Aand as theframe '141s .carried `forward the bell-crank lever 36 isvrocked towards the night von its pivot 37 forcing the latch 23 to the right and into thezpath of the upper part of lever 45. In the meantime the plungers 21 -and `22 perform no function.

Again, if three coins of lower denomination, vsay nickels, are disposed in .t'he chute 2 drop linto the path of the 4plungers `20` 21 and :22, the plu-ngers 21 and .22, acting through the llever -31 rock the lever 30 so that it rocksit'he pawll24and releases the `latch:23, so that -it is Aacted upon by fthe bell -crank fleiver 36 as described. r

It wifll `be apparent that only'itwo nickels wou-ld not eperate'it'he @device as the plunger 22 may be Aprojected through thefopening .16 and slot 18 whille the plungers g2@ .and2f1 are retarded, without rocking ithe lever ,30, 'ibe- -cause Iof the' ypivotal connection :'34, soy that i 'the pawl y124isnot retracted from the notch inlthe'f'laftch23. y g f `After the opera-tien -of the ejection `mechanism the fra-me 14 is retracted by its spring 15C and the coinsl drop intoa'ny coimnon form of receptacle below Athecasinger chute 7.

I-n the event :of lmore than Ione drinne being VplacedV iin chute 1, the second V.dime vcontacts with K`the yfirst and the shoulder 116) so that iteither falls or may easilyibe Ataken `ouit 1n theevent-ef more than three nickels being placed in thefcliute 2, -the 'fteurth contacts with t-he third andthe shoulder Altljalntl may lbc #ife- 'moved "in a Similar'manner. f 'In -F'i-g-ure 3 the parts are-shown in the rela- `tive position they assume when the-proper coins of differentedenominatiens aire inserted and the le-ver 47'de1-)ressecll ite 7the dotted line :position of Figure `4-'of itheflrawvings.

To prevent the retractionfef the frame Ebeyond fa desired point, litsfdoWntu-rfned- :pen tion 15b is varranged to contact the forward portion ofthe fixed lframe 13 -and 'the backward movement ef fthe frame `and the tension of the Lsprings 43 and l44 restores the pants .to a norma-l or set position.

Selection of Vgooczlisr-'fhe fpackagesfofgoods 84' arearranged in `piles Iinmagazines or racks 83 corresponding in number to the fnumber of selecting plunge-rs 62 ete s65. lllgressr of y packages is lnormally obstructed zby the vertically movable gates `82 lthere being :one .of

such gates in Ifront yof each' magazine F83.

v lVhen the good-s um' Ethe magazine 183 2cernevvspending lto :the )plungerfi are 'desired and ico Athe coin selection has taken place as described, the plunger' 65 pressed inward, rocking the bell-crank lever 66 and moving connecting rod 67 to the right hand or dotted line position of Figure 5. Through the corresponding collars I58 and 57 the pin 56 passes through the corresponding collar 54 and actuating member 78, so that latch 23 contacting with lever 45 causes the corresponding ejection elements to operate.

The4 locking levers 74 and 77 cooperating with the pins 7 3 and 7 6 maintain the other plungers 64, 63 and 62 against inward movement so that only one package 84 can be ejected at one time.

E jectz'on 0f goma- The' coin selection operation and the goods selection operation, as described being performed, the forward movement ot the frame 14, under the influence of the lever 47 causes the now projecting latch 23 t-o contact the upper end of lever 45 and to rock it to thev dotted line position of Figure 4. This causes the crank 52 to be rocked downward rocking the shaft 53. The pins 56 being at this stage (by. action of the vgoods selection means) in the slots 79 of the selected member 78 such member is rocked toward the right r(Figure shows the normal and Figure 7 the rocked or operating position) n The wall of the slot 8() of the selected member 78 contacting Vthe pin 81 on the corresponding gate 82, the movement of the member 78 moves the gate 82 downward and uncovers the opening at the bottom of the corresponding magazine 83.

While the above-described movement of the member 78 is taking place, the shoulder 90 thereon contacts the lug 89 on the arm 88, so that its bifurcated end 87 strikes the pin 86 of the plungerl 85 and forces it to the right hand (Figure 7) forcing out a-package 84. The parts are returned to normal position under the tension of the spring 91 so far as the goods ejectionelements are involved.

I-Iaving thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In a vending apparatus, va coin chute, a plurality of plungers arranged to project through the chute, means for moving the plungers, and locking means arranged to be unlocked by the movement of ,thev plungers.

' 2. In a vending apparatus, a coin chute, a plurality of plungers arranged to project through the chute, means for moving the plungers, locking means arranged to be unlocked by themovement of the plungers, a goods selecting element and a goods ejecting element. v

- 3. In a vending apparatus, a coin chute, a plurality of plungers arranged to project through the chute, means Jfor moving the lungers, locking means arranged to be unlocked by the movement of the plungers, a goods selecting element and aN goods ejecting element operable when the locking means is unlocked'. v

4. In a vending apparatus, a coin chute, a plurality ot' plungers arranged to, project through the chute, lmeans for movingV the plungers, and locking means arranged to be unlocked by the movement ot' a plurality only o the plungers. l

l 5.Y In a vending apparatus, a perforate coin chute, a plurality of plungers in alinement With periorations of the chute, means for interlocking the plungers arranged to be unlocked by coins in the chute and la movable part arranged to be projected by movement of the plungers. v

6.-.In a vending apparatus a perforate coin chute, a plurality of plungers in alinement with perforations of the chute, means for interlocking the plungers arranged'to be unlocked by coins in the chute, a movable part arranged to be projected by movement of the plungers, a goods selecting element, and a goods ejecting" element operable when the movable part is projected. y

7. In a vending apparatus, acoin chute provided with perforations, a plurality of plungers arranged in alinement with the perforations, a movable support on which the plungers are movably disposed, means for moving the movable support and a projectible member normally locked arranged to be operated by movement of the plungers.

8. In a vending apparatus, rprovided with. perforations, a plurality of plungers arranged in alinement with the perlforations, a movableA support on which the plungers are movably disposed, means for moving the movable support, a projectible member normally locked arranged to be operated by movementof the plungers, and means for interlocking the plungers to cause movement of some of the plungers when another plunger is moved.

9. In a vending apparatus a coin chute provided with perforations, a plurality of plungers arranged in alinement with the perfor-ations, a movable support on whichthe plungers are movably disposed, means or moving the movable support, a projectible member normally locked arranged to be operated by movement of the plungers, a goods selecting element, and a goods ejecting element operable when the projectible member is unlocked and operated. f

f 10. Ina vending apparatus, a coin chute provided with perforations, a movable support disposed adjacent thechute, a plurality of plungers movable with relation to the frame, means for limiting the movement of the plungers with relation to the support, means for moving the support, a pawl pivoted to one plunger, levers pivoted to the other plungers and arranged to co-operate with the pawl, and a latch arranged to co-operate with the pawl.

a coin chute 11. In a vending apparatus, a coin chute provided with perl'orations, a movable support disposed adjacent the chute, a plurality ot' plungers movable with relation to the trame, means for limiting the movement of the plungers with relation to the support, means for moving the support, a pawl pivoted to one plunger, levers pivoted to t-he other plungers and arranged to co-operate with the pawl, a latch arranged to cooperate with the pawl, and means for limiting the movement of the support.

12. In a vending apparatus, a coin chute provided with perforations, a movable support disposed adjacent the chute, a plurality ot plungers movable with relation to the frame, means for limiting the movement of the plungers with relation to the support, means 'for moving the support, a pawl pivoted to one plunger, levers pivoted to the other plungers and arranged to co-operate with the pawl, a latch arranged to eo-operate with the pawl, and means for returning the movable support to normal position.

13. In a vending apparatus, a coin chute provided with perforations, a movable support disposed adjacent the chute, a plurality of plungers movable with relation to the frame, means for limiting the movement of the plungers with relation to the support, means for moving the support, a pawl pivot- Yed to one plunger, levers pivoted to the other plungers and arranged to (Jo-operate with the pawl, a latch arranged to co-operate with the pawl, and means for returning the latch to normal locked position.

14. In a vending apparatus, a coin chute provided with perforations, a movable support disposed adjacent the chute, a plurality of plungers movable with relation to the frame, means for limiting the movement of the plungers with relation to the support, means for moving the support, a pawl pivoted to one plunger, levers pivoted to the other plungers and arranged to co-operate with the pawl, a latch arranged to cofoperate with the pawl, a goods selecting element and a goods ejecting element operable when the latch is operated.

Signed at New York in the county of New f York and State of New York this 3rd day v of June, A. D. 1925.

GARNET P. GRANT. 

